John Katsilometes

Story Archive

Gamal Aziz jumps from MGM Hospitality to new post with Wynn
Monday, Jan. 7, 2013
Gamal Aziz has spent more than a dozen years with MGM Grand and the MGM Hospitality Division, but is reuniting with Steve Wynn.
Forget Dallas -- NFR is most likely staying put in Las Vegas
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012
Officials of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Las Vegas Events have never allowed a National Finals Rodeo contract to expire. They don’t plan to let this one go dark, either. To state it simply: Unless there is a rift that no one in either camp can foresee entering this year’s rodeo showcase, NFR will stay in Las Vegas for a long spell.
‘Cirquespeak’ is a language — or anti-language — of its own
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
As Paul Bisson conveys “Cirquespeak” to the audience, he is not exactly singing. He’s playing an instrument, which happens to be his voice.
Cirque hopes a touch of the bizarre in ‘Zarkana’ breathes life into Elvis Theater
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
The lead character in “Zarkana” is a tortured magician named Zark, who is trapped in an abandoned theater, having lost the love of his life and his gift of magic. Begging to the beyond for the return of both, Zark is plunged into a bizarre, arcane universe replete with surreal sights and echoing sounds. In a broader sense, there’s a different sort of return-to-magic effort being made at Aria.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, PT's plans to run the table
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012
Golden Gaming purchased the PT's chain in 2002 and immediately went to work on revamping the company's image.
Oscar Goodman saddened at the death of his friend and mentor Arlen Specter
Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012
Oscar Goodman was a young law student looking for work when he met Arlen Specter in Philadelphia.
No Prince Harry connection in 'Gigolos’ arrest; executive shift at Tropicana
Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012
Newly notorious "Gigolos" star Steven Gantt's arrest last Thursday night stemmed from an incident in May, not from his conduct at Prince Harry's party at Wet Republic on Aug. 18.
With Shenandoah project stalled, Wayne Newton hits back legally
Friday, June 1, 2012
Wayne Newton and his wife, Kathleen, appeared in court Thursday morning to seek a temporary restraining order against their business partner in the planned Casa de Shenandoah museum project. They got what they wanted, but there seems a long and bitter fight ahead.
Where does a Playmate play when she turns 21? Vegas!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Claire Sinclair spent a few days in Las Vegas catching the Frankie Moreno show, dining with Holly Madison at Golden Steer Steak House and hanging out at Crazy Horse III.
Diamond Dave sells it well as Van Halen pours out the power at MGM Grand
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Van Halen performed in Las Vegas for the first time since 2007, and the result was buoyant, loud, nostalgic and regretfully lacking in vocal quality.
Entering debut at Tryst, Nick Hissom is a model for a rapid rise to prominence
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Nick Hissom has a lot of forces working in his favor -- Steve Wynn and Kenny Ortega being chief examples -- but says if he doesn't produce, none of those connections matter.
Riviera CEO Andy Choy takes a gamble with classic casino
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Ask Andy Choy what he studied in college and he smiles slightly. “I was actually a probability major,” he says after a one-beat pause. “I was a statistics major. So, I actually study the odds and understand it beyond the periphery.” That quality, understanding odds beyond the periphery, is vital to the success of Choy and the hotel he operates, the Riviera.
Michael Gaughan says no to return of 'Vegas Stripped' to South Point; Steve Wynn has enough nightclubs
Friday, May 25, 2012
"Vegas Stripped" aired on Travel Channel for six episodes beginning in February. Originally, South Point owner Michael Gaughan liked the show. But he's seen enough.
Suffering from respiratory illness, Elton John spikes three shows at Caesars
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Elton John checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. on Wednesday and was ordered to take a week off from performing because of a serious respiratory infection.
Live from Billboard Music Awards: Stevie Wonder closes with 'Superstition'; Adele wins 12 awards
Sunday, May 20, 2012
The Billboard Music Awards were at MGM Grand Garden Arena tonight, with a tribute to Whitney Houston and a show-closing medley by Stevie Wonder highlighting the ABC special.
Stirling Club hosts its last dance, but is it really over?
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Announced months ago in a letter to members, the Stirling Club closed Friday night. But the party might not be over.
One Group-Palms sports restaurant Heraea to have a co-ed appeal
Friday, May 18, 2012
“Oh, we have done the research, and 75 percent of all household decisions are made by wives or girlfriends,” said Jonathan Segal, the Britain-based CEO of the One Group. “And 100 percent of guys think they are in control, so women have learned exactly how to make the decisions while making us think we’re making them.”
A bit of trickery from would-be magician Joey Fatone
Monday, May 14, 2012
Joey Fatone has a hidden talent. Well, he had one. Until now.
Can ace roaster Amy Schumer find comic heaven at the Riviera?
Sunday, May 13, 2012
At the end of the interview at Lobby Bar Cafe at the Encore, Amy Schumer will say thank your for not being asked a particular question.
Of beer pong, Lucky and 'Freaks': O'Sheas performs its last jig
Sunday, April 29, 2012
O'Sheas has been a favorite of Las Vegas visitors looking for a party at an affordable price. It closes in favor of Linq at noon Monday.
Onstage, Mike Tyson pulls no punches, but show often fails to connect
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Mike Tyson’s “Undisputed Truth” was predicted to be either an entertaining exercise in multimedia storytelling or a train wreck of mythic proportions. “Muted” or “measured” never entered the conversation.
Las Vegas loses a star: Cancer claims 'Folies' beauty
Saturday, April 7, 2012
One of the city’s great voices has fallen silent. Michaelina Bellamy, the principal singer in “Folies Bergere” at Tropicana for a decade ending in 1990 and a backing vocalist who toured with such greats as Engelbert Humperdinck and the Airmen of Note, died today after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Palms is betting big with new sports book, poker room, bar and Cantor partnership
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Visitors to the Palms walking into the hotel from its west entrance will immediately notice giant walls where there was once a sports book. There is a reason for that.
‘Absinthe’ is coming of age in a city loaded with entertainment options
Sunday, April 1, 2012
During each performance of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace, Melody Sweets sings a groovy little number titled “Slice of Heaven.”
Brad Garrett's new comedy club gets some love from favorite comedians
Friday, March 30, 2012
This was Brad Garrett’s kind of scene. A comedy club bearing his name, packed with friends, fellow comics and the resort executives who have provided him a place to play at MGM Grand.
Lack of autograph hounds, winds make for successful first day of MJCI
Thursday, March 29, 2012
A collection of notes from an hour spent today at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament at Shadow Creek.
Slightly used props? Overstocked furniture? MGM Resorts finds a use for all of it
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren says the company is not heavy-handed about its message of environmental responsibility, but practices such at every level.
Loved, hated or feared, Mike Tyson has always been the star of his own story
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Mike Tyson is eager to show off his birds. Pigeons, specifically. More than 100 of them. They chirp away happily in the backyard of Tyson’s Seven Hills gated-community home. Tyson’s pets are perched in tall, wooden crates whose chicken-wire doors swing open to freedom.
New venture at the Tropicana is a laugh — or, rather, a factory of them
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Jamie Masada is trying to bring an identity to the Tropicana, one chortle at a time. Masada is the owner of the Laugh Factory franchise, which boasts comedy clubs in Hollywood; Long Beach, Calif.; and Chicago.
What Smith Center boss Myron Martin is going for: goose bumps
Saturday, March 10, 2012
He wants goose bumps. Myron Martin frequently talks of goose bumps. He seems always to be experiencing goose bumps, or ruminating about goose bumps, or awaiting the moment when he will once again get goose bumps.
Mike Tyson: Heavyweight champion of understatement is ready for next round
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012
Mike Tyson had not expected to readily recall this moment of his life, this time a lifetime ago. But when Tyson starts to talk, the conversation careens and boomerangs in directions even he can’t foresee. It was a moment when he was pulled over by two patrolmen in Los Angeles.
Skating Aratas to take a spin on 'Ellen'
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
The Skating Aratas, the wheeled darlings of “V — Ultimate Variety Show” at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, are to be featured on Thursday's episode of “Ellen.” The show is broadcast locally at 3 p.m. weekdays on KLAS Channel 8.
A wild weekend capped by wicked comedians, winning Wranglers and aerial acrobatics
Monday, Feb. 20, 2012
Sunday was to be a day of rest following a night of weighty opulence at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala at MGM Grand Garden Arena. But Sammy Shore had other ideas, and he is 85 years old.
Business is a family affair for Golden Gaming’s Blake Sartini
Monday, Feb. 20, 2012
Consider the ram, and its significance in the life of Blake Sartini. It is the official animal of his home state — Nevada. When he hunts big game, Sartini often tracks the powerful and elusive desert bighorn sheep.
Stars line up to honor Muhammad Ali, help Ruvo Center fight brain diseases
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012
Sometimes, you don’t need words to convey the message. Fifteen minutes before midnight on a Saturday in Las Vegas was one such time. Stevie Wonder had summoned Muhammad Ali to the MGM Grand Garden Arena stage. Wonder led the crowd in a chant, calling out, “You are the greatest! You are the greatest!” The crowd shouted back as Wonder rocked on his piano bench.
Las Vegas throws a party worthy of 'The Greatest'
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012
The tribute to Muhammad Ali was an endless barrage of knockout blows at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night as the stars streamed into the Keep Memory Alive “Power Of Love” gala. The event was expected to be the city’s greatest party, and it was shaping up to be a truly heavyweight affair. Early in the program, attended by about 1,800 people seated for dinner on the floor of the Grand Garden Arena, President Barack Obama sent a message of congratulations to Ali via a taped message from Washington, calling Ali, “A true champion,” on the event of his 70th birthday.
Wanna win these? Ali's gloves, dinner party by Wolfgang Puck up for auction
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
A total of 130 live and silent auction items and packages will be offered to the 1,800 guests expected to attend Saturday night’s Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala celebrating Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday. Here's a look at some of the more dazzling packages and items up for bid.
Sneak peek: Mob Museum set to open, with plenty of larger-than-life figures to greet you
Monday, Feb. 13, 2012
When you walk into the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas, you are first met by a beyond-life-size portrait of J. Edgar Hoover holding a semiautomatic weapon trained at the entrance.
What a Whitney Houston residency in Las Vegas might have looked like
Monday, Feb. 13, 2012
Emmy Award-winning set designer Andy Walmsley used 3D computer graphics to design two renderings of a set to be built for a Whitney Houston residency in Las Vegas that never happened.
The latest dish: Martha Stewart out, Marie Osmond in for the Hallmark Channel
Monday, Jan. 30, 2012
It is news that might make fans of Marie Osmond feel a little faint. According to published reports, Osmond is in line to supplant "The Martha Stewart Show" on the Hallmark Channel with a new daily show carrying the befitting title, “Marie.”
With Atrium Suites renovation, Stephen Siegel is crafting a new signature
Friday, Jan. 20, 2012
The Siegel Group founder Stephen Siegel could make millions if he sold the old Atrium Suites building today, as is. But he has other plans.
Odds don't weigh in favor of Miss Nevada to capture crown
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012
Wynn Las Vegas Director of Race and Sports Operations Johnny Avello offers his odds for who will win Saturday night’s Miss America Pageant. Avello says any of his half-dozen picks could easily be the favorite.
Dash for the sash that is the Miss America Pageant puts Las Vegas onstage
Friday, Jan. 6, 2012
As the Miss America contestants meet the public, en masse, for the first official photo opportunity of this year’s pageant, most of us see 53 attractive women.
Three movers and shakers to watch in 2012
Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012
John reviews his Three to Watch list from 2011 and outlines his Three to Watch for 2012.
Trombone solo leads a parade of happenings as 2011 sashays out the door
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011
This was the year of the trombone solo. That’s how I’ll best remember this topsy-turvy turning of the calendar, as 2011 is ushered out of the showroom as if part of a trombone-led parade at Frankie Moreno’s show at the Stratosphere.
Stories of stars in the Studio at the Palms
Friday, Dec. 23, 2011
It was 3:30 a.m., and Zoe Thrall got the call. An assistant working for the multiplatinum country band Alabama had a need: Time.
NFR wraps with an injury that could've been worse and exciting plans for the future (maybe even legal wagering)
Monday, Dec. 12, 2011
When Shane Proctor boarded the bucking bull Black Attack near the end of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the event was already an unqualified success.
Stratosphere's investment in Frankie Moreno is a tall order, but well worth it
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011
Frankie Moreno has been headlining at the Statosphere showroom for a little more than a month, and already the hotel has proven a go-for-broke strategy in marketing its new star.
Rodeo, Cirque are like twin entertainers — well, fraternal, anyway
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011
They seem not at all alike, these performers and performances. One is a carnival of dancers, gymnasts and acrobats famously donning sequined Spandex costumes, their faces painted in brightly colored makeup.
Madonna turns to Cirque du Soleil for Super Bowl direction
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011
Jamie King, Kevin Antunes and Cirque du Soleil will all be involved in Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show in Indianapolis in February.